Oludipe Oluwasanmi David, professionally known as Spyro, is a Nigerian singer and songwriter who graduated from the University of Ibadan.
While speaking with the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Administration, Professor Peter O. Olapegba, FNPA, Spyro said the youths should be made to know that education is paramount, but they should be encouraged to develop their talents because wealth comes from talents.
He disclosed that his father had wanted him to study Architecture, but he ended up in the Department of English.
Spyro said his stay in the Arts class helped him to follow his dream and develop his music career.
He said his career started in “UI, the First and Best University in Nigeria.”
According to Spyro, UI made him hardworking because there was no shortcut to success in those days, “you had to read and read”
“If I had not attended UI, I probably would not have been what I am today,” he added
Spyro had dropped by to say hello to his former lecturers/ mentors, Professor A. Raji-Oyelade and Dr E. A. Olawuyi, who took him on a courtesy visit to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Administration.
Professor Olapegba, who is also the Director in charge of the Office of Alumni Relations, and the Chairman of the UI@75 Anniversary Committee, said UI, does not joke with its alumni because they are the most potent force the University has.
He said it was for this reason that the Office of Alumni Relations was created to cater to the needs of the Alumni and to enable the University keep track of the numerous graduates that it had produced in the past 75 years.
He said UI is so globally recognised that the University that is internationally referred to as ‘Ibadan’ is synonymous with excellent university education in Nigeria.
Professor Olapegba prayed that Spyro will not be derailed in his music career and urged him to come back and leave legacies in the Department of English, Faculty of Arts, and the University at large.
The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Kayode O. Adebowale, mni, FAS, during a brief visit to his office also reiterated the call on Spyro to come back and give to UI, his Alma mater.
Oludipe, Oluwasanmi David graduated with a second class lower honours degree in English Language and Literary Studies from the University of Ibadan in 2014. He was known on campus in those days as Spyro Freeze. His mother and sister also graduated from UI.
